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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Masih
and the Messiah From time to time, a three-year-old Pakistini girl named Diya turns to her mother and repeats one word: “Papa.” Her “papa,” Pervaiz Masih, died on October 20, leaving behind a wife, daughter, mother, and other family members. He is being hailed by many as a hero. A suicide bomber disguised in women’s clothing approached the cafeteria at the women’s campus of Islamabad’s International Islamic University. He shot the guard on duty and then tried to enter the cafeteria where 300 to 400 young women were sitting. The only obstacle was Masih who was working in the cafeteria as a janitor. According to eyewitness reports, Masih told the man that he could not come inside because there were girls inside. They began arguing when suddenly the bomb went off. Because Masih had intercepted the bomber in the doorway, many of the bomber’s explosive vest’s arsenal of ball bearings shot out into the parking lot instead of into the cafeteria. Three students were killed in the blast, but hundreds were spared due to Masih’s heroic efforts. Masih’s actions have captured the attention of many not just because of his lowly occupation and his selfless sacrifice but also because he has been described as a Christian man. Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik, the rector of the university, stated: “Pervez Masih rose above the barriers of caste, creed and sectarian terrorism. Despite being a Christian, he sacrificed his life to save the Muslim girls.” “He is a national hero because he saved the lives of many girls,” said Shahbaz Bhatti, minister of minorities in the Pakistani government. “As a Christian, a person of minority, he stood in front of the Taliban to protect the university.” Masih’s courageous conduct reflects the Supreme Sacrifice that was made on behalf of ALL people in the world... When
WE were condemned to destruction due to our sins,
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave Himself to die for
our sins (Ephesians 1:7).
He died for us so that we might have ETERNAL
life: “For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT
of God In
order to receive the benefits of Jesus’ atoning
sacrifice, we must: Because of His love for us, Jesus – the promised Messiah – rose above all barriers of caste, creed, and race and gave His life so that YOU and I might live eternally. Won’t YOU accept His offer on His terms? David A. Sargent, Minister Church
of Christ at Creekwood * Information gleaned from “Christian Janitor Died Saving Muslim Students” by Ivan Watson of CNN.com To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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